Oct 26, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HENDRICK PLANS WEDNESDAY SERVICE
CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY IS OPEN TO PUBLIC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 26, 2004) - In remembrance of the 10 individuals who lost their lives on Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports will hold a candlelight service Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. ET.

Open to the public, the ceremony will be held at the Hendrick Motorsports complex, located at 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262.

The program, led by members of Motor Racing Outreach (MRO), will include Robbie Loomis, crew chief of Hendrick's No. 24 Chevrolets.

Parking is available on the complex as space permits and candles will be provided.

Please visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com for updates on additional services.

Oct 25, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS STATEMENT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 24, 2004) - Hendrick Motorsports officials have confirmed that an airplane owned by the organization was reported missing and downed today. The craft was en route to Martinsville, Va., from Concord, N.C.

The following is a full list of passengers: Randy Dorton, Hendrick Motorsports engine director; John Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports president; Jennifer Hendrick, daughter of John Hendrick; Kimberly Hendrick, daughter of John Hendrick; Ricky Hendrick, son of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and owner of two NASCAR teams; Joe Jackson, sponsor representative; Scott Lathram, employee of NASCAR driver Tony Stewart; Elizabeth Morrison, co-pilot; Richard Tracy, pilot; and Jeff Turner, Hendrick Motorsports general manager.

Hendrick Motorsports asks that those affected be kept in your thoughts and prayers, and respectfully requests that privacy be considered throughout this difficult time.

Driver / Community Reaction

Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team - "We are deeply saddened by this loss to the Hendrick Motorsports family and the racing community. Not only did we lose valuable members of our organization and the motorsports community, we lost friends. "We thank all of you for keeping our families and friends in your thoughts and prayers. "

Tony Stewart - "Scott Lathram was a great friend, a respected employee and one of the best helicopter pilots in the country.  Our trust and faith in him never wavered, because his commitment to service and safety was unmatched.  He was also one of the most loyal people I've ever met, not just to me and my employees, but to his country.

"Scott was prepared to go back to Iraq, as his army reserve unit had been called up to active duty.  I'll never forget him telling me that he had to return to Iraq.  He was only about six months into his job here with me, and he was worried about making sure that I was all set before he had to go.  I told him not to worry about me, that the most important thing for him was to look out for his wife and kids.  But it just showed me how much Scott cared about everyone around him, especially when his immediate future meant participating in something that most of us will only see on television.

"And what I'll remember the most about Scott and probably miss the most was his sense of humor.  No matter how bad a day you were having, a quick one-liner from Scott and the next thing you knew you were laughing.  He turned bad days into good days and good days into great days.

"We've lost a really great person, and our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Tracey and their three kids.  

"Our condolences also go out to the Hendrick family as they deal with this tragic loss."

David Green - "My family and I are numb after hearing this tragic news.  Ricky was a true friend that always opened his hand to anyone and everyone.  The opportunities that Ricky gave my family and me were endless, and I will forever be proud to have had the chance to know him and learn from him.  He was the kind of person that was always so polite and considerate of others.  I can’t go a second without thinking of his smile and his “always thinking of others” attitude!  There will never be another young man like “Lil’ Ricky”.  As we go forward I will always remember what “Lil’ Ricky” taught me… that family is No. 1.  From my daughter Kaylie saying, “where’s my boyfriend Lil’ Ricky”, to the memories and time I got to share with him both on and off of the track.  I will always remember Ricky as the polite, caring young man that carried on Papa Joe’s character.  I hope my son Austin grows up to be just like “Lil’ Ricky”.  May God bless Rick, Linda, Lynn, and all of the families involved in this terrible loss. "

Jack Roush - “My heart and prayers go out to the Hendrick family and the families of all who lost their lives in this tragedy. Like the entire Hendrick organization, fans, followers and supporters, I too feel the tremendous loss.

Mark Martin - “I was hoping never have to hear this again in my life time, I just feel so bad that it's unreal. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of those involved in this terrible tragedy.”

Greg Biffle - “I really don't have the words to express the sorrow I feel for Rick Hendrick, the entire Hendrick organization and the families and friends of those whose lives were taken by this tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them. “I'd become very good friends over the years with many of those involved and I'm just heartbroken. I'm deeply saddened and I have an empty feeling inside of me, as does the entire NASCAR family. All of them will be greatly missed."

Matt Kenseth - "I really don't know what to say, this is such a terrible tragedy. It's not only a tragedy for NASCAR, but it's a personal one for the Hendrick Family--Rick has been through a lot this year already and I think the best thing any of us can do right now is just pray for them. We all knew the people onboard and Randy Dorton has been a very close friend of mine. We just need to pray for everybody right now for what they're going through."

Kurt Busch - "It's such an extremely unfortunate situation. It's certainly something that illustrates how close-knit the entire racing community really is, and right now we're all just thinking and praying for all of the families."

Carl Edwards - "This is certainly a great tragedy not only for Hendrick Motorsports but for the entire sport. My thoughts and prayers go out to all my peers at Hendrick Motorsports and to all the family members and friends of each of the 10 individuals who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy."

Kevin Harvick - "One thing that makes the sport of NASCAR so great is its sense of family. Despite the fact that there are many different organizations, teams, drivers, and sponsors we operate like one big community.   This is never more evident than when tragedy strikes.  
On Sunday afternoon, we lost ten members of our NASCAR family. On behalf of myself, DeLana, and all of Kevin Harvick, Incorporated, we extend our deepest condolences to the families involved in this tragedy.  You will be in our thoughts and prayers."

Brian France - “The thoughts and prayers of the entire NASCAR family go out to all the families affected by this accident. I am confident that the NASCAR community will rally to provide comfort and support during this trying time. As a family oriented sport, we are all feeling a very personal loss at this time.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - “It’s hard to express how it feels to hear the news about the Hendrick plane crash. It’s like a hammer to the chest. It takes the wind out of you. The Hendricks are a great family and they’ve always been very generous to me and to everyone in NASCAR. It’s helpful to have a strong family to surround you, and I know the Hendricks are a great family. For me, being in the garage is like being surrounded by your closest friends and family, and it really helped me through some rough times. I’m sure Rick and all the families involved will receive the support they need from everyone in the NASCAR family.”

Michael Waltrip - "This is obviously a tragedy for the Hendrick family as well as the NASCAR family," Michael Waltrip expressed.  "I hope that all the Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Inc. fans will lend their prayers to strengthen all the families affected by this heartbreak.  God has a plan for each of us and it is important during times like this that we rely on our faith."

Richard Childress - "It’s a tremendous loss to the Hendrick family, the Hendrick Motorsports organization and NASCAR as a whole. It’s really hard to imagine. We spend so much time together during the year that, when a tragedy like this strikes, it hits deep and it hits hard because we are so close to one another. We are like family and our thoughts and prayers go out to Rick and all of the families who lost loved ones."

John Andretti - “I think everybody in the sport is in shock right now. We lost a lot of talented people, but we also lost of lot of really good people. This obviously affects Hendrick Motorsports but it affects all of us in motorsports when good people with great talents are taken away from you.
“Nancy and I are praying for the families and friends of those we lost, and we mourn with them.”

Beth Ann Morgenthau Owner, BAM Racing - “We were all shocked at the news Sunday, and certainly saddened. As the race progressed at Martinsville, it really began sinking in, and it was a horrible feeling. Tony and I, and everyone at BAM Racing, offers our prayers and support to the families and to the Hendrick organization.”

Ken Schrader - “Ann and I have lost some great friends, and our hearts are broken for all of their families. While we are grateful for the time we had with them, we will miss them greatly.  Through nine years of working for Rick Hendrick, his family became our family.
“It's incredibly hard right now; we just need to keep our thoughts and prayers with all of the families involved.  As much as they did for our sport, it can't begin to compare with how they touched our lives.”

Oct 25, 2004

Original Final Lap On-Air Report

Jimmie's win was overshadowed by some tragic team news, in fact the 48 car didn't even visit victory lane to celebrate the win.

A plane owned by Hendrick Motorsports crashed yesterday en route to the race in Martinsville. All 10 aboard were killed, including Rick Hendrick's brother John, his son Ricky, and his twin nieces Kimberly and Jennifer. Also on board were Joe Jackson (a DuPont executive), Jeff Turner (Vice President and General Manager), Randy Dorton (the teams chief engine builder) Scott Latham (Tony Stewart's pilot) and The Beech 200's pilots Dick Tracy and Liz Morrison.

The plane went down around 12:30 eastern on Sunday about 7 miles west of Martinsville airport.

Our thoughts go out to everyone at Hendrick Motorsports.